Need information on Binoculars

[fishing101]

I am trying to figure out if 8x32 bushnell legend binoculars would be good for hunting moose and deer or is it better to go with 10x42 and what is the difference in view? I can get the 8x32 for 169. I am trying to figure out if it is a good deal and if they would be good for hunting.

[bullwinkle]

The 10x42 have stronger magnification and bigger objective lens therefore better light gathering.With binoculars you get what you pay for so buy the best you can afford.

[Short Round]

I wouldn't get 10 powers for moose and deer. The extra magnification means that every bit of movement is magnified -- so they're a bit shaky, especially when you're using them unsupported.

10x is good for prairies and mountain hunting -- 8x is better for brush and woods, imo.

As for those particular kinds, I've got no experience.

[maverick]

You should look up watchmakers binocular post from earlier in the year, it will answer every question you have regarding binoculars.

[Scott N]

I recently was able to spoil myself with a pair of Leica 8X32s, and before spending that kind of cash on binoculars, I did a lot of research from Internet Web Sites. I'd recommend trying to google that particular model and see what comes up. I was surprised by the large number of informative web sites that offered binocular reviews of specific models. And it might sound strange but the bird watching message boards seemed to offer the most informed opinions on glass quality. I recall a lot of good reviews on Nikon binocs, which might be a little more than the model your looking at, but not by much.

[Outt and Aboutt]

Just to elaborate on what bullwinkle said. The objectives on the 10X are 42mm, while those on the 8X are only 32mm, given this difference and the difference in magnification between these two, the 10X will actually provide a slightly (by a small amount) brighter picture. They will also be bigger. If you have any intentions of using binos in the shoulder hours, then you should steer away from the 32mm objective. For most people a pair of 8 or 10X42's is a good choice.
Shortround makes a good point about how steady the view is. In the end it depends a lot on how steady your hands are. Go to the store and hold/look through a few and see if you are happy with the degreee of shake you experience with 8 vs 10X. Also, while higher power brings things in closer, it makes things harder to find when they are close in the first place. Lots of tradeoffs.

Legends are good middle of the road binos. Unless you are a real officianado and spend hours glassing in tough conditions, you'll be happy with them. But definitely spend some time researching them before you buy. Know what is available (light paths, optical coatings, prism material, housings, focus mechanisms, diopter adjustments, etc), what the advantages and disadvantages are, and then decide what you want and what you can afford. There's lots of good info on the web and alot of good places to buy from.
D

[harv3589]

I have a pair of 10x50's and they are really nice in the low light.

[sheephunter]

Actually the two will have pretty much identical light transmission, all other things being equal of course. Divide the objective lens size by the magnification and it will give you the size of the exit pupil. This determines the light transfered to the eye.

42/10 = 4.2

32/8 = 4

Try out some bino before you buy as not all people's eyes can handle looking through 10x binos for extended periods, especially as you get older. The 10s will also be far bulkier and heavier. 8x binos are great for hunting....I use them a great deal of the time.

[TreeGuy]

X2 on the Watchmaker thread! That cat knows his stuff in spades!

Tree

[Vindalbakken]

Sheep has it right on the light thing. They will be about the same. The 10x is nice for quick spotting, the field of view and ease of viewing are nice on the 8x for extended viewing. The 8x are much lighter and more likely to be carried so you have them when you need them. You will see far more detail when trying to assess trophies with a high quality 8x binocular (Zeiss, Leica, etc) than you will with a less expensive 10x bino.

[Okotokian]

[QUOTE=Scott N;56860]
And it might sound strange but the bird watching message boards seemed to offer the most informed opinions on glass quality. QUOTE]

Not strange at all. Birdwatchers depend on their binos even more than hunters do. Binos are equivalent to our rifles and scopes. They are what they use.

Oh, and I got a good piece of advice about checking them out in a store... don't just look outside in the bright light. They ALL look good in that environment. Check them out by looking at something in the DIMMEST corner of the store. I'm thinking that perhaps the best time to bino shop is in the evening when the light is getting dim!